La Plata County
CO · Pop. 56,088 · Suburban County
La Plata County, Colorado covers 1,690 square miles with a population of 56,088 and a density of 33.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $549,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.26% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 128-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F and average winter lows of 15.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 21 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Animas Surgical Hospital Llc is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 80.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.26% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Animas Surgical Hospital Llc, with an emergency room, is just 3.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 128-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 21 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $549,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
La Plata County, CO is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $549k
- Property tax
- 0.26%
- Growing season
- 128 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 21"
- Broadband
- 80.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Animas Surgical Hospital Llc, 3.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in La Plata County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in La Plata County?
- La Plata County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 128-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F, and average winter lows of 15.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $549,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.26%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 80.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Animas Surgical Hospital Llc is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Colorado
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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